Chinese Basketball Association Blocks NBA Players, Lockout Opt-Outs

The NBA lockout is forcing players to take their talents overseas until the two sides are able to reach an agreement. Unfortunately for the players, however, one of the best opportunities to get paid across the pond is no longer an option as the Chinese Basketball Association has decided to block all players under NBA contract despite an earlier FIBA ruling.

The news from Far East comes courtesy of NiuBBall, citing a Sina Sports article, and will have plenty of adverse effects on NBA players still hoping to make a decent living until the NBA lockout is settled. China is one of the few places that could offer competitive salaries while helping NBA players increase their marketing reach, but none of that will be possible now.

The reason that the Chinese Basketball Association decided to outlaw the NBAers under contract, even though FIBA has given non-NBA teams the go-ahead as long as the players have an opt-out for whenever the lockout is complete, is that they were fearful of some teams skirting the rules they originally planned to put in place.

With quite a few of the high-level European clubs already set for the upcoming season, a lot of the higher-profile NBA players probably aren't happy with this news that limits their options across the pond.